RTI: Real-Time Integrator

Overview

CMMs, STEs and many specialized gages output their results in the form of text files. These test result files have little use until their information is incorporated into a database so they can be easily queried and analyzed. RTI provides a simple method to automate the data capture and database load process. Additionally, RTI can be configured to check the test values for out-of-spec and out-of-control conditions, send email notifications and generate process action records.

The InfinityQS™ Real Time Importer is an upgrade to the current CMM Integrator application. It incorporates all the features of the InfinityQS™ CMM Integrator and adds many new features. Beyond the import capabilities embedded in the CMM Integrator, this system includes the following additional features:

• Specification Limit Test – Each piece within a subgroup written to the database can be optionally tested against the Upper and Lower Specification Limit Values that are stored within the InfinityQS™ database.
• Control Limit Test – If a subgroup written to the database passes the Specification Limit Test, it can then be optionally tested against the specified Upper and Lower Control Limit Values stored within the database.
• Process Event Logging – If a subgroup fails the Specification Limit or Control Limit Test, a Process Event can optionally be written to database.
• Email Notifications – If a subgroup fails the Specification Limit or Control Limit Test, the system can send Email Notifications to SPC Mail recipients as defined within the InfinityQS™ database.
• Field Concatenation – When configuring mapping-definitions, textual information can be combined. For example, the Part Definition’s Item value could be defined as Imported as (%1)-(%2). During the import operation, if the first field of a record in the import file was XYZ, and the second field was 1, the Part that is ultimately written to the database would be Imported as XYZ-1.
• Field Calculation – When configuring mapping-definitions, test values can be defined as calculations. For example, the Test Definition’s value could be defined as Imported as abs((%5)-(%6)). During the import operation, the test value will be the absolute value of the difference between the numbers in column 5 and column 6. All of the mathematical functions available within the Data Entry Configuration’s Equation Editor are available for use in the RTI configuration.
• Subtest Support – When configuring mapping-definitions, multiple values (columns) can be specified. For example, the Test Definition’s Item value could be defined as Imported as (%7);(%8);(%9). During the import operation, column 7 would be imported as subtest 1; column 8 would be imported as subtest 2; and column 9 would be imported as subtest 3.
• Multiple Test Definitions – In the CMM Integrator program, only a single Test Definition could be defined. InfinityQS™ RTI allows multiple test definitions to be assigned.
• Specification Limit Definitions – Import Files can now include specification limit information within its fields. If Specification Limits do not already exist for the subgroup, InfinityQS™ RTI will automatically write them to the database.
• System Tray Status – InfinityQS™ RTI presents an animated icon in the system tray (in the task bar next to the clock). The user always knows the status of the program without having to display the main window. If the Email Notification feature is enabled, an additional icon also shows the status of the InfinityQS™ Email System.
• Activity Status – Click on the InfinityQS™ RTI system tray icon, and the main window displays all activity since the program was first started. Along with a tally and number of subgroups and pieces that have been collected since the current configuration was activated.